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DD 28010OZ HONG KONG
GRS 253
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DESKBY 280100Z
FM FCO 271650Z JUN 83
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 568 OF 27 JUNE
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ADJOURNMENT DEBATE
HKK 243/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
27 JUN 1983
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
لله
Autmn Token
瓦
1. MR KEITH BEST MP HAS SECURED AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON 29 JUNE ON THE SUBJECT 'THE PROBLEMS FACING VIETNAMESE REFUGEES'.
AS THIS IS A HOME OFFICE DEBATE, WE EXPECT IT TO CONCENTRATE ON RESETTLEMENT PROBLEMS IN THE UK. HOWEVER, HOME OFFICE ASKED US FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES ON FCO ASPECTS FOR DEFENSIVE USE.
2.
(A)
(B)
(c)
THESE HAD TO BE PROVIDED TODAY. WE HAVE SUPPLIED
A GENERAL ANSWER ON HONG KONG AS FOLLOWS
'SYMPATHY WITH HONG KONG'S CONTINUING REFUGEE BURDEN. NUMBERS AGAIN INCREASING AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESETTLEMENT
DIMINISH. ALL SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR THE CONTINUING
CONTRIBUTION TO THIS MAJOR HUMANITARIAN PROBLEM MADE BY
HONG KONG WHICH HAS SINCE 1975 ALSO ABSORBED 14,000 VIETNAMESE INTO ITS OWN COMMUNITY'.
SUPPLEMENTARY ON CLOSED CAMPS BASED ON AGREED DRAFT FOR
GREGOR MCKENZIE'S ORAL PQ.
SUPPLEMENTARY ON REPATRIATION AS FOLLOWS
'ANY REPATRIATION WOULD HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED VERY CAREFULLY.
IT WOULD FOR EXAMPLE REQUIRE THE COOPERATION OF BOTH THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES AND THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED. (IF PRESSED) BECAUSE OF THE HUMANITARIAN CONSIDERATIONS AND LEGAL DIFFICULTIES, THE OPTION OF PURSUING FORCIBLE
REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES MUST BE RULED OUT'.
3.
GRATEFUL TO KNOW DESKBY 28090OZ THE LATEST NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AWAITING RESETTLEMENT IN HONG KONG (EXCLUDING EX-CHINA CASES)
HOWE
NNNN
DISTRIBUTION:-
LIMITED
HKD
COPIES TO:
MRS YU, HK GOV, OFFICE LDN
SEAD
MR DONALD
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